Part 9/10:
The author emphasizes that increasingly, companies are abandoning the pretense of caring about consumers. The facade of customer-first policies has eroded, replaced by a reality where higher prices and limited choices are the norm.
The Future and the Role of Government
If regulatory bodies were more active, they could influence these disputes to favor consumer interests—preventing monopolistic behaviors and encouraging open, competitive markets. However, under the current administration, there is little evidence that government intervention is forthcoming.
Until meaningful regulatory action occurs, consumers will continue to face higher costs, fewer choices, and one-sided corporate negotiations—repeating the old cable model under a new guise.